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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

U.S. Olympic Team Trials Women's Boxing

Claressa Shields won the women's middleweight 75-kg boxing gold medal match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, in London. Take a look back at the Olympic trials at the Northern Quest Casino. For 24 women's amateur boxers, the road to the 2012 London Olympics - and an opportunity to represent the U.S. in one of only three weight classes - went through Spokane over a grueling week in February. This is a look at their journey.

Marlen Esparza shadow boxes before her match against Alex Love on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012. “I’m not here by chance,” said Esparza about competing in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing. “God put me here so it’s up to me,” she added. She won the match 22-12 at the Northern Quest Casino.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


Alex Love walks through the spotlight on her way to battle Taversha Norwood on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012. “This is what we all live for,” said Love of Monroe, Wash. about competing the the U.S.Olympic Team Trials for women’s boxing at the Northern Quest Casino. She was eliminated during the Flyweight Challengers Bracket on Wednesday, February 15. “This is not the end of my story,” she said, “I’ll be back in four years.”

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


“It’s what gets everything rolling,” said timekeeper LaNett Humphrey of USA Boxing about blowing the whistle five seconds before the matches begin, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012. She was the official timekeeper for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Women’s Boxing at the Northern Quest Casino.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


Franchon Crews, left, takes her shot against Claressa Shields during the middleweight winners bracket at Northern Quest Casino on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012. She lost to Shields 31-19. “I want it back,” said Crews. “I’m a hard hitting diva.”

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


Sixteen-year-old Claressa Shields wears her Betty Boop socks during her battle against Franchon Crews during the middle weight winners bracket at the Northern Quest Casino on Monday, Feb. 13,2012. She beat Franshon 31-19.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


“I told you I was gonna smoke her, ” said Claressa Shields after beating Franchon Crews 31-19 in the middleweight winners bracket at the Northern Quest Casino on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


Kalispel Tribe member Taunie Cullooyah, the ring card girl during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for women’s boxing, watches the action on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 at the Northern Quest Casino.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


Andrecia Wasson, right, battles it out with Raquel Miller in the middleweight challengers bracket at the Northern Quest Casino on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012. Raquel Miller won that match 7-6.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


“Release the fury Queen!” screams her sister Hazzauna Underwood of Las Cruses, New Mexico, as she cheers on Queen Underwood during the lightweight winners bracket boxing match at the Northern Quest Casino on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review


Queen Underwood reacts after beating N’yteeyah Sherman 25-24 in the lightweight winners bracket during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for women’s boxing at the Northern Quest Casino on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review

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